by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 201 U.S. colleges awarded 3,326 degrees and certificates in Small Business Administration/Management. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 59 schools in its 2027 Best Small Business Administration/Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $53,298 one year after completing, rising to $68,789 after four years.
A major in Small Business Administration/Management covers Small Business Administration/management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Develop And Manage Independent Small Businesses. Includes Instruction In Business Administration; Enterprise Planning And Entrepreneurship; Start-Up; Small Business Operations And Problems; Personnel Supervision; Capitalization And Investment; Taxation; Business Law And Regulations; E-Commerce; Home Business Operations; And Applications To Specific Sectors, Products, And Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., small business administration/management is a popular field of study, with 3,326 degrees awarded annually. 201 colleges award small business administration/management degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 401.
By level, the 3,326 awards include 342 certificates, 437 associate degrees, 294 bachelor’s degrees and 2,203 master’s degrees.
Women earned 58% of small business administration/management degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,918 of 3,326). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,330) and Hispanic or Latino (889), and international students earned 162.
College Factual ranks 59 schools in its 2027 Best Small Business Administration/Management Schools ranking, including 16 for associate degrees and 7 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks small business administration/management schools within 8 states. In all, 201 colleges offer small business administration/management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Small Business Administration/Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common small business administration/management credential is the master’s degree: 2,203 of the 3,326 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to small business administration/management call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Administration and Management, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a small business administration/management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 342 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 437 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 294 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,203 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to small business administration/management, at 52.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.2% |
| Master’s degree | 17.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.5% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Small Business Administration/Management, with an average median salary of $123,464; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Gym Manager, Travel Agency Manager, Compliance Director and Electric Power Superintendent.
The occupation related to small business administration/management with the most projected jobs is Managers, All Other, at 468,025.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | 403,205 | 4.2% |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | 320,819 | 2.9% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Spa Managers | 184,703 | -2.2% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
Small Business Administration/Management graduates earn a median $53,298 one year after completing their program, $68,789 after four years and $68,562 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,298 |
| 4 years | $68,789 |
| 5 years | $68,562 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to small business administration/management is Personal Service Managers, All Other, with a median salary of $176,674.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $176,674 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Spa Managers | $143,396 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
Small Business Administration/Management has 4 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 11,762 degrees a year; the largest are Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies (11,107), Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other (524) and Social Entrepreneurship (113). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies | 11,107 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other | 524 |
| Social Entrepreneurship | 113 |
| Franchising and Franchise Operations | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
